More flying squads to keep tabs on HSC exams

The state board has also increased the number of members in their flying squads, to make sure there are no cases of copying in the exams that begin today

It’s that time of the year again, when students are all set to appear for their exams. From today, HSC students across the state will be appearing for their board exams, and the state board and education department are preparing to make sure the process goes smoothly under their vigilance.

Students prepare for the HSC exam under streetlights at their Abhyasika (study centre) in Colaba. Pics/Atul Kamble

After last year’s case where an SSC student was found with a leaked Algebra question paper, the board as well as the education department is leaving no stone unturned, to avoid repetition of the same. For starters, more flying squads have been added by the education department, which also cut down on the number of sub-centres attached to every main centre in the city.

Until last year, every main exam centre in the city had to oversee at least 7 sub-centres, but this year onwards the numbers will stand at three or maximum five sub-centres. “Last year, a question paper was leaked while the entire set was being transported from the main centre to a sub centre in Kandivli.

We are putting in place all precautions possible to avoid repeat of that this year,” said B B Chavan, education inspector, south zone. He added that the visits by flying squads to check on exam centres in the division will be increased this year. “Students have already been informed about the consequences of cheating and even the principals and school teachers have been made aware.

Cheating, copying, etc will not be tolerated,” added Chavan. Every year there are teams of flying squads that visit exam centers and this year too, vigilance will be at its peak. Last year, the state board had put in place 250 flying squads in Mumbai division and the number stays the same this year as well.

“But we have increased the number of board members in flying squads. The problem, however, is that there are few board members, so we have asked the education inspectors to involve more senior principals as part of their flying squads,” said Laxmikant Pande, chairman, Mumbai divisional board.

Flying squadsThe concept was introduced by the Maharashtra state board four years ago, to ensure complete protocol is followed during board exams. Each team usually involves a member of the board/education department, along with two-three senior school principals, who make surprise visits to exam centres to check on copying, etc.

Pande said that in addition to flying squads, the board is also making arrangements to reach out to every taluka to form vigilance committees and make district collectors part of the team.